Camino Mid-March????

[crad80]

Hi there,

This will be my first time walking the Camino. I am planning on starting from St. Jean Pied-De-Port on March 17th. I was wondering what the Camino conditions will be like? Is everything open by then? Any help or assistance is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

 

[Vigdis]

That's just a little after me, who is starting from Roncesvalles the 10th.

I expect most things to be open, but I use pensions. I would think that most albergues too will be, but someone else might know that better than me.

Expect all kinds of weather: It might be sunny and warm, but it may also be quite cold. I will bring my underwear of wool, just in case!

 

[grayland]

Most, if not all, of the albergues will be open unless they are having some kind of problem. Some of the private albergues tend to open a little later than your start but you will find one open everywhere along the way.
The weather will be cold in the mornings, decent most afternoons. You will have sun, rain, wind and snow.....just about anything you can think of. Remember you are crossing about 800 kms and the climate and terrain will change drastically. St. Jean to Roncesvalles could be a problem weather wise but you can get a current update in SJPP at the Pilgrim Office.
Buen Camino

 

[markss]

I walked the Camino in March 2010. In terms of finding open alburgues, there were one or two that I came accross that were not yet opened for the season. Alternatives were always available so this was not an issue. It was a good time of year in that the alburgues, and for that matter the actual walk along the Camino, were both uncrowded.

As to weather, anything goes. Last March there were some areas of snow through the mountains, as well as strong gale force winds with rain in other places. However for the most part the days were pleasant - cool in the early mornings, turning comfortably warm and sunny by afternoon. Take a sturdy poncho along with you, and a warm pair of gloves. The cheaper ponchos can get shredded and fall apart in high wind. Obviously weather conditions vary from year to year, particulary given that March tends to be somewhat of a transitionaI period.

One of the best pieces of advice - before setting out from St. Jean Pied de Port ensure that you have checked the weather conditions for that day and that conditions are satisfactory for traveling the route that you choose to get to Roncensvalles. In bad weather this is potentially the most difficult and hazardous stage of the Camino. In good weather it is arguably the most beautiful stage and a great way to get started!

Without doubt the largest obstacle last year was mud. By March mountain snowmelt flowing along the Camino, coupled with rain made it difficult trekking in some areas. As it seems that far less snow has fallen in the mountains this year, perhaps it may be less of a hinderance for you.

In any event, you have selected a great time to walk the Camino.
Buen Camino!

 

[Arn]

Hi,
If you arrive in SJPDP late in the day, get the WX at the pilgrim office. If favorable, consider staying over and then an early start. The stretch to Roncesvalles is the steepest on the Camino per KM,
So consider breaking it into two days with a stop at Orisson. You will not regret it. Again, if the WX indicates heavy snow...consider a delay.
Burn Camino
Arn

 

[crad80]

Hi Vigdis:

I noticed you will be starting the Camino from Roncesvalles a week before me. Is there a passport office in Roncesvalles where one can pick up their Pilgrim Passport? Thanks in advance.

 

[Arn]

Crad80,

You can get the credential from the Pilgrim office in Roncesvalles at the Monastery.

They also have many solid pieces of info for the rest of your walk along the Way.

Buen "not burn" Camino,

Arn

 

[delilah]

Hi there

I will be starting the Camino from Bordeaux on March 14, and appreciating this forum to read that there will be more starting in this month!

Once question I have is regarding sleeping bags and mats, since this is a colder month, will it be necessary to have a sleeping bag and mat along considering its a colder month?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

On the Arles, Le Puy, and Vezelay routes, I never needed a mat. Hotels have linen, but the gites generally require that you have a sleeping bag or sleeping sack. Pillows do not get cleaned a lot, so a pillow case that will accept the shapes of French pillows (square or the long tube) will be useful.

 

[lynnejohn]

Also a stretchy cotton t-shirt fits any pillow. I've been using them for years to cover pillows I'm not sure of..

lynne

 

[RENSHAW]

Try to break your first planned day up into two - SJPDP to Rocesvalles can be a wicked streach for your first day on the Camino. :arrow: :idea:
As for the time of year - Yes a little chilly with few crowds, but for Easter with its magic Festivals and processions.

 

[fsam33]

What is WX?

 

[grayland]

WX = Weather

 

[delilah]

but the gites generally require that you have a sleeping bag or sleeping sack. Pillows do not get cleaned a lot

hey, thanks for the info
what exactly do you mean by this? Is there a list of hostels or hotels to say in on these routes?
I haven't bought my map yet, and looking online I don't see lists of places to stay on the route Vía Turonensis in which I hope to be following. Are these places found on the maps purchased?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The pillows are not clean.

http://www.chemins-compostelle.com/Lesc ... carto.html

http://www.chemin-compostelle.fr/chemin/credential.pdf

A guide with the accommodations:

http://www.chemin-compostelle.fr/boutiq ... sis%29.htm

Some internet information:

http://www.aucoeurduchemin.org/spip/VOI ... ml?lang=fr

http://www.viaturonensis.pagesperso-orange.fr/ (or just viaturonensis.pagesperso-orange.fr/)

 

[delilah]

thank you! I wasn't sure how many require a sleeping bag
will have to freshen up my french to get the most out of those site!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

All gîtes d’étape require a sleeping bag or sleeping sack. No one is permitted to sleep directly on the mattress. Chambres d'hôte and hotels normally supply linen, and private homes will, too.

The French appreciate the effort to speak French, even when it is incomprehensibly bad. I can understand French when spoken by the British expatriates, and the French who speak one word at a time! When even the simplest phrase is spoken as a continuous sound, its meaning is lost on me.

"Plus lentement, s'il vous plait" was the best phrase I learned. Well, that and the difference between tout droit and droite in the French language guides. Spoken, they sound the same to my tin ear.